Michigan City zoo plans to add exhibits

Grounds being reorganized into geographical areas.

Grounds being reorganized into geographical areas.

March 11, 2006|SHARON DETTMER Tribune Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY -- Washington Park Zoo is home to two grizzly bear cubs and their neighbors, about 240 birds, mammals and reptiles in all. "There are 95 different species living at Washington Park Zoo," Johnny P. Martinez, the zoo's director said. Martinez is excited about Washington Park Zoological Society's plans to construct three new exhibits slated for completion by early July. A North American Carnivore Exhibit will be constructed near the zoo's main entrance and will lodge the zoo's bear cubs, two river otters and mountain lions. The facility is being redesigned into zoo-geographical sections, Martinez said. Those sections include multiple animal exhibits with individual African, Australian, South American and North American themes. The zoo continues to evolve, as it has since it was built in 1926. A new river otter exhibit will feature an 8-foot-long, 32-inch-wide underwater acrylic tube youngsters can climb through to see otters swim underwater. The "Otter Tunnel" is an interactive attraction for kids to learn and mimic otter behavior, Martinez said. Outside of the exhibit, there will be an "otter slide" for young visitors to enjoy, as well. When the two river otters arrive at the zoo, their new digs will have a recirculating waterfall, stream, pool and a grass exercise area. Artificial rocks with cascading plants will make their space resemble a natural home sweet home, Martinez said. The concept for an otter attraction sprouted from a zoo patron's camping experience. New Buffalo resident Robert Romoser, now deceased, was camping in the wild. He spotted river otters and enjoyed watching their animated behavior. Romoser told his family he wanted an otter exhibit at Washington Park Zoo. To achieve that goal, the family donated $140,000 to the zoological society, Martinez said. Two female mountain lions will inhabit another new exhibit featuring a pool, trees, artificial cliff-rock and waterfall. They can be viewed through 10-foot window panels, topped with overhead mesh fencing. The zoo's two female bear cubs will be swimming and sunning themselves near a pool and waterfall, too. The 1-year-olds, who have yet to be named, can be viewed up close in eye-to-eye encounters through the glass. Zoo animals are as curious about people as people are about them, Martinez said. Future exhibits are in the planning stages, Martinez said.